13 Acupressure Points For Immune System That You Need To Learn Now

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Dr. Gene Wei DOM

Dr. Gene Wei DOM, AP is a Primary Care Provider and Board Certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture Physician in the state of Florida (NCCAOM).

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Prevention is always better than cure, and the best way to keep the flu, common cold and infections at bay is by strengthening our immune system – our body’s natural defense system that effectively promotes our overall health. One of the best ways to enhance your immune system naturally and straightforwardly is through acupressure. According to Dr. Gene Wei, focusing on the right acupressure points has shown great potential for immune system enhancement, which could also help in the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

If you frequently fall ill or get sick more often than others, it could be because of a weakened immune system that is making your body more prone to viruses, harmful toxins, and bacteria.

What Is Acupressure for the Immune System

You must have heard of acupuncture, an ancient healing practice that is gaining a lot of popularity these days. Hair thin needles are safely inserted at specific points on different parts of the face and body to stimulate energy qi(pronounced “chee”) or vital energy.

Using the foundation of acupuncture, acupressure, which is also a form of Chinese medicine, is a more gentle and convenient way to stimulate the same points using physical touch instead of needles.

Chinese practitioners believe that illness is caused by internal (mental, emotional, and dietary factors), external (weather and environmental stressors), or many other factors. Many changes affect the body regularly and disrupt the flow of qi. Chinese medical philosophy sets out to rectify this balance and creates harmony within the body by stimulating specific acupressure points for increasing immunity.

Acupressure is a safe and effective natural therapy used to ease the symptoms of many health conditions. Unlike conventional medicine, this therapeutic process does not require the use of any invasive procedures. A trained practitioner applies pressure to specific points on the body using their thumbs and fingers.

It is ideal these days to learn about the right acupressure points for immune system support and try acupressure to witness the amazing benefits it has in store for you and your family.

Acupressure uses specific pressure points for immune system support, which works naturally to protect us from several diseases and infections. You can include acupressure to your morning routine, before bedtime at night, or anytime that suits you best.

Best Pressure Points For Immune System Support

Acupressure assists in the active treatment and long-term relief of multiple diseases, including migraines, chronic pain, digestive problems, depression, diabetes, respiratory disorders, and many more.

Acupressure points for the immune system fall on meridians or energetic zones that connect your body and transfer the flow of energy. Modern science is also showing us that these acupuncture points and energy meridians are also interelated with the nervous system. 

This energy transition is of prime importance for the preservation of your well-being. Obstructions in this energy flow may induce imbalances in your body and blood flow, leading to a compromised immune system. Acupressure releases this sluggish energy and restores a healthy balance in the body.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, people all around the world are stuck inside their homes, so access to acupressure therapy is impossible. But you don’t need to worry anymore, we will tell you about all the acupressure points for increasing immunity that you can quickly learn and work on your selves at the comfort of your home.

Dr. Gene Wei upholds that by stimulating specific immunity acupoints with treatments like acupuncture or acupressure with your thumbs or fingers, you can stimulate your body’s energetic system (Chi) by activating the circulation of blood and the production of endorphins, thereby improving your immunity.

There are many acupressure points on the body that can help counter diseases and strengthen the immune system. The following are among the most important pressure points for immune system support that, once activated, may help to stimulate  the immune system effectively.

1. Acupoint: KI-3 (Other Names: Kidney-3/Tai Xi/Supreme Stream)

This is one of the most useful acupressure points for the immune system located midway between the uppermost point of the inner ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Stimulating this point on both feet alternately may help to strengthen the immune function, since it can harmonize chi function in the lungs.

It also aids in the treatment of respiratory disorders, sore throat, migraine, stress, and regulates the healthy functioning of the kidney.

2. Acupoint: Ren-4 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-4/Guan Yuan/Origin Pass)

This point is found roughly 3 inches below the belly button or four fingers directly below the belly button. This is one of the pressure points that can be used for the immune system since it can stimulate the “original chi” in the body. It also has several other capabilities, including enhancing stamina, reducing fatigue, eliminating dizzy spells, and chills. It’s also perfect for back pain, poor memory, hearing issues, and urinary problems.

3. Acupoint: Ren-6 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-6/Qi Hai/Sea of Qi)

Ren-6

This acupressure points for immunity is often known as Dan Tian. It is powerful enough to harness the natural yet inactive energy of the body. It is also known as the “Sea of Chi.” This point is situated about 1.5 inches below the belly button or two fingers directly below the belly button and is used to support people who are very poor energetically to strengthen their immune system.

4. Acupoint: GV-14 (Other Names: The Governing Vessel-14/Da Zhui/Great Vertebra)

This point is situated right on the spine at the lower part of the neck. According to Dr. Gene Wei, if you run your finger down your spine, starting from the bottom of your skull, the first bone that is protuding is the C6 vertebra. If you tilt your head to look up, this protruding bone should dissapear. 

Then keep running your finger down your neck to the next bone while you are looking up. And the next protruding bone you can feel is the C7 vertebrae.  The depression just below this bone should be approximately at the level of the shoulders, and this is GV-14.

This point can help in strengthening energy, both to help us stay healthy and to boost our immune system.

5. Acupoint: LU-1 (Other Names: Lung-1/Zhong Fu/Middle Palace)

This point is also known as the “Central Palace” and is positioned about 1 inche underneath the collar bone. 

According to Dr. Gene Wei, another way to locate the point is to extend your arm in front of you like you’re telling somone to “stop!” Then with your other hand, feel for a little triangle that is formed just under the collar bone, where it meats your arm/ shoulder. This is the “delto-pectoral triangle.” Then Lu-1 is 1-1.5 inches under this triangle, and a little bit lateral (to the outside.) 

You’ll know when you find it as it will be a bit tender when you push on it.

LU-1 can provide relief from the following health conditions, including asthma, back pain, chest pain, respiratory ailments, shoulder pain, wheezing, and acute bronchitis. It also facilitates the lungs and strengthens the spleen. It is also one of the two excellent acupressure points for cough

6. Acupoint: LU-7 (Other Names: Lung-7/Lie Que/Broken Sequence)

Situated near to the wrist, LU7 is one of the vital immunity acupressure points for releasing diseases from the body and helps in the correct working of the lung energy. It’s also a useful point for migraines or headaches.
To locate this point, position your hand as if you were going to shake someone’s hand. Then this point is located on the top side of the lower arm, about 1.5 thumb widths from the wrist, along the front edge of the bone (palm side.)

7. Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)

Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)

Also known as the “Three Yin Intersection,” this is the junction point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney energy channels and is centered approximately 3 inches (or 4 fingers’ width) above the protruding bone of the inner ankle. Dr. Gene Wei explains that spleen 6 is one of the top pressure points for regulating the digestive system, which may also play a big role in your overall immune health.  

Because of this, this point can also help to resolve other issues, including weak metabolism, poor digestion, inflammation, urinary infections, knee pain, skin infections, stress reduction, and hypertension

Energizing this point on both feet simultaneously can be powerful to stimulate overall health.

BONUS: You can also use SP-6 to relieve neuropathy symptoms

8. Acupoint: LI-4 (Other Names: Large Intestine-4/He Gu/Joining Valley)

He Gu

One of the best acupressure points for boosting the immune system since it regulates “defensive chi.” Also known as the “Joining Valley,” it is situated in the upper part of the hand between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones between the thumb and the forefinger. 

According to Dr. Gene Wei, a good way to find this point is to squeeze your thumb against the base of the index finger, then locate LI-4 which is at the highest point of the bulge of the muscle.This is a good point for the large intestine and is used in conjunction with other acupressure points to help unclog your lungs.
It also assists with stomach pain, headaches, diabetes, colds, ear blockage, and respiratory problems. This is a crucial point to relieve discomfort anywhere on the head and improve immunity. This acupoint is one of the favorite acupressure points together with PC 9 acupuncture point for many office workers in case you do not know.

9. Acupoint: Bl-43 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-43/Gao Huang Shu/Vital Region Shu)

This is one of the most useful acupressure points for immune system support. It is located on the back, along the inner edge of the shoulder blade, 3-4 inches up from the bottom of the shoulder blade.

You won’t be able to reach this immunity acupressure point by yourself in case you are looking to do self-acupressure. Therefore, you may need the help of a partner or an acupressure specialist to access it for you.

BL43 is well recognized to be an essential point of the body, and it is beneficial for treating cough, asthma, fatigue, and back pain.

10. Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)

Zusanli
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)

St36 is also called the “Three Mile Point.” Evidently, in imperial times, the Chinese army placed a nail on the soldiers’ leg to activate this point to get an additional 3-mile march from the military.  Dr. Gene Wei esplains that it is located approximately four finger-widths (about 3 inches) below the kneecap on the front of the shin bone. The early Chinese thought that stimulating this immunity pressure point every day may help you live an eternal life. Soldiers used to regularly massage this point on prolonged journeys to help maintain their strength to keep going.

This is one of the most well-recognized acupressure points for overall well being, and may help to support immune system support as it promotes blood circulation and supports “original chi” in the body. It also helps alleviate nausea, lower stress, eradicate fatigue, and boost the immune system by increasing chi in the body overall. 

Properly massaging this acupressure point for immunity on both the legs, one by one can help in reviving the body and restoring a healthy immune function.

11. Acupoint: Liv-3 (Other Names: Liver-3/Tai Chong/Supreme Rush)

Acupoint: Liv-3 (Other Names: Liver-3/Tai Chong/Supreme Rush)

This acupressure point for boosting the immune system is found at the top of the foot, between the big and the 2nd toe, just in front of the angle where these 2 bones meet.

Energizing this point on both feet alternately helps strengthen the immune system by increasing blood supply across the body and regulating the flow of energy. It also helps in alleviating eye problems, migraines, period pain, lower back pain, and sleeping problems.

12. Acupoint: LI-11 (Other Names: Large Intestine-11/Qu Chi/Pool at the Crook)

This immunity acupressure point is situated at the end of the elbow crease, at the outer edge of the joint. Energizing this point on both arms one by one can help to strengthen the immune system. It can also help in the treatment of fever, constipation, and indigestion.

13. Acupoint: GB-20 (Other Names: Gallbladder-20/Feng Chi/Wind Pool)

This acupressure point for the immune system is found at the back of the neck near the base of your skull, where your fingers fall into a depression on each side.

Apart from boosting the immune system, this point is also useful for alleviating flu, cold, blocked nose, migraines, and more. The ancient Chinese people believed that all ailments enter the body from the exposed back of the neck, and activating these points could help fight a cold or prevent it from occurring in the first place.

How to do self-acupressure

Use your thumb or your fingers to look for the immunity acupressure point you intend to focus on. Press for 5 seconds, while holding the point and rotate clockwise for 5 seconds and then release. You can repeat this technique 3 or 4 times again. As you apply acupressure and the point opens, it will become less sensitive, and the pain, if any, should go away. After this, you can move to the next point.

Conclusion

Try acupressure for immune system support to get your health back or to maintain your overall well-being by stimulating these incredible acupressure points. Acupressure is easy to do by yourself, or you can always look for an acupressure specialist in your area to experience the nurturing touch of acupressure.

Photo by Christopher Campbell, Oz Seyrek, Jesper Aggergaard, Kendal on Unsplash

Author: P. Sze

P. Sze P. Sze is the founder of TCM Tips and Dragon Acupuncture®. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honor in Civil Engineering. S he also holds a master’s degree in Engineering and is the brain behind the innovative TCM products of Dragon Acupuncture®. She is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Auricular Therapy: Application of Ear Seeds (ISBN 978-1520451398) and Facial Gua Sha - Fight the Signs of Aging Naturally and Inexpensively (ISBN 978-1980678922). She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the complex theories behind oriental medicine and the seemingly dangerous techniques that involve needles and fire do not scare you from trying oriental medicine. This is why she writes endlessly about acupressure and its countless health and wellness benefits.

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